Controlled Substances Schedules

Schedule I

[Use illegal/restricted to research; high abuse potential; no accepted medicinal use in US]

Examples: heroin, mescaline, peyote

Schedule II

[Requires prescription; high abuse potential; no refills allowed; verbal orders allowed only in emergency situations outlined by the DEA and state; some states require tamper-resistant prescription forms and may impose other restrictions]

Examples: amphetamines, opioids (single entity, some combos), pentobarbital

Schedule III

[Requires prescription; moderate abuse potential; max 5 refills/6mo; verbal orders allowed; some states may impose other restrictions]

Examples: anabolic steroids, dronabinol, ketamine, opioids (some combos)

Schedule IV

[Requires prescription; low/moderate abuse potential; max 5 refills/6mo; verbal orders allowed; some states may impose other restrictions]

Examples: benzodiazepines, phentermine, sedative/hypnotics

Schedule V

[Requires prescription or may be OTC with restrictions in some states; limited abuse potential; verbal orders allowed; some states may impose other restrictions]

Examples: opioid or opioid-derivative antidiarrheals and antitussives